CNN announced Wednesday that Kathleen Parker and Eliot Spitzer will host its new 8 p.m. program.

Washington (CNN) - Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Kathleen Parker will co-host a new hour long CNN primetime news program starting in the fall as the nation prepares for the 2010 midterm election, the network announced Wednesday morning.

The yet-to-be-named “roundtable discussion” program will air at 8 p.m. ET replacing Campbell Brown.

“Other cable news channels force-feed viewers one narrow, predictable point of view; in contrast, CNN will be offering a lively roundup of all the best ideas – presented by two of the most intelligent and outspoken figures in the country,” Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S., said in a statement released by the network. “Eliot and Kathleen are beholden to no vested interest – in fact, quite the opposite: they are renowned for taking on the most powerful targets and most important causes.”

Parker, whose columns appear in over 400 newspapers twice a week, in April received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. She describes herself as a “rational” conservative.

“As a veteran print journalist, I am appropriately respectful of the challenges posed by the medium,” said Parker. “But I'm thrilled by the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to me —and that aren't heard often enough on television—in a conversation with one of the nation's most brilliant, fearless and original thinkers. With Eliot Spitzer as my co-host, Wall Street and Main Street will finally meet. It can't possibly be boring.”

Spitzer, a Democrat who resigned as governor in March 2008 after acknowledging visiting a prostitute, is a well respected political mind and a take-no-prisoners prosecutor who has been often referred to as the “Sheriff of Wall Street.”

“Kathleen is an extraordinary intellect whose sharp observations and wit are certain to resonate with viewers,” said Spitzer. “I look forward to working alongside her in a discussion that will inform, challenge, and entertain. I am grateful to CNN for the opportunity to co-host a show that will advance the discussion of the defining issues of our time.”

soundoff(139 Responses)

JP of arlington

Oh, this should be a really open and free discussion between two left leaning liberal Democrats. Spitzewr is one of the most anti-business Democrats that ever held office. I believe Spitizer would like to see every large business in this could fail or go bankrupt. Parker never met a liberal cause she couldn't support no matter how crazy or expensive it might be.

June 23, 2010 12:00 pm at 12:00 pm |

William Madigan

Adding Parker is a good idea..Spitzer is another issue. All I see when I watch him is his terrible dalliances with women and holier than thou. He is not giving CNN the image you want...whomever came up with this idea is either his good friend or very stupid...

June 23, 2010 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

Victim of GOP Taliban

Give me a break. Cheat on your spouse. Resign in shame. Then get rewarded with a fat $ megadeal to be on TV?

June 23, 2010 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |

Rhonda

SHAME ON CNN for hiring Spitzer. He makes me sick! I love CNN and watch them every evening when I get home as well as on weekends. Due to this recent hiring.....I will NEVER watch CNN again until they take Spitzer off the air. CNN disgusts me and I will tell everyone I know to turn off CNN until Spitzer is gone! Spitzer does not fall into the same category as Anderson, Larry, Joy, Wolf, etc..... Thanks for ruining my day with this horrible hiring. Too bad I'm going to miss watching Parker as I know I would have enjoyed her being a part of the CNN team.

June 23, 2010 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |

Alan

Did I read this correctly? Does this article honestly say that he admitted to "visiting a prostitute" and refer to him as "well respected" in the exact same sentence?!?!?! CNN... C'mon... no wonder nobody takes you seriously anymore!

June 23, 2010 12:03 pm at 12:03 pm |

EL

Great choice, Mr. Spitzer. I hope you're paying him by the hour.

June 23, 2010 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |

NYC REPUB

Isn't Kathleen married to Chris Matthews? Just asking.....i respect and revere the Hardball show, where Mr. Matthews tears into DEMS, and REPUBS alike, to find the truth.

June 23, 2010 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |

Jon

Amazing how these clowns like Spitzer screw up (so to speak) and then land on their feet with high paying jobs. This is truly the land of screw-ups who get a great second chance.

June 23, 2010 12:05 pm at 12:05 pm |

NYC REPUB

Correction, she is a self described conservative.

June 23, 2010 12:06 pm at 12:06 pm |

Anonymous

Are you crazy? You're endorsing Spitzer?

June 23, 2010 12:07 pm at 12:07 pm |

Benjamin D'Over

"She describes herself as a "rational" conservative". And in doing so takes a backhanded swipe at all conservatives, revealing herself predictably to be a... liberal.

June 23, 2010 12:08 pm at 12:08 pm |

Hope A. Dope

Wow, a Spitzer Redux. Can't these idiots just go away after performing their brand of idiocy? I guess anything goes today. Just Sad.

June 23, 2010 12:09 pm at 12:09 pm |

Greg

Lets see how long this show lasts. Eliot Spitzer is a huge phony who was a bully as the attorney general of NY. How in the world does he get this type of job. He should have been arrested and put in jail. CNN must be desperate!!!!!